Cyprus.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2994, 19 September 1878, Page 3

Cyprus.

We take the following from an Australian paper:— ' I. Geography. : 1. Its Position.—This newly acquired British colony is an island at the extreme eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, in that part called the Levant. 35deg. north latitude runs through the centre of it from east to west, and 33deg. east longitude almost bisects from north to south. It is 65 miles from the nearest .point in Syria, and 42 from the nearest point in-Asia Minor. A long horn-like from the north-east corner 'Seems.to correspond to the hollow of the -Gulf of Iskanderum, and the Bay of Famagosta to fit into the angle of the coast to the south of the Gulf, giving the island the appearance of having been pushed by some huge force from this corner adrift into the Mediterranean.

12. Extent, &c—lts greatest length {torn east to west is 140 miles, and its breadth varies from about 50 almost to 5. '(Malta is only 20 miles long by 12 broad.) It is triangular in shape, and contains about 4200 square miles. It is about ' half the 'size of Wales, or one-sixth, the extent of Tasmania. The coast of Cyprus .is somewhat irregular,' and it contains some good harbours. 3. Character of its Surface.—A range of mountains traverses the whole of the north side of the island, and is separated from the central mass by a 'double valley. The greatest elevation is the encient Mount Olympus, 6590 feet above the level of the sea. This mountain mass has bold, rugged slopes, thickly wooded, and -diversified by precipitous cliffs of limeatone and deep, picturesque valleys. The colony is well watered by several rivers, which, together with the plains, are mostly on the south side"of the island.

. .4. Capes.—The chief capes are. Cape Andrea, at the extreme east end; Cape' •Xrrego, south-east point; Cape Gatto, the most southern point; Cape Arnauti, the most westerly point. 6. Bays.—Morphon Bay on the north, Fatnagosta Bay on the east, and Epukopi Bay on' the south-west. 6. Climate.—The. climate of Cyprus is delightful, being somewhat warmer than Malta. The northern part is sheltered from the excessive heat of the sun by the mountain range, and the southern is refreshed/Vith the sea-breezes. The mean temperature rises to an average of 50deg. ;in January. In summer (July) it is about SOdeg.* bat the island, from its insular position, is not subject to the extremes of Wt as the mainland. The normal wind is the "Imbatto," corresponding to our land and sea breezes. . 7. Productions.-—The soil is naturally yery" fertile, pouring forth in abundarice the varied vegetation of an island so near the tropic, and at the same time with so diversified a surface. The mountains abound in timber, and the fruits of Europe grow most luxuriantly. Iv the plains are cultivated cotton, wines, oil, honey, figs, dates, oranges, and other fruits belonging to an almost tropical latitude. Wool is also an article ot export. , „ 8. Population.—At the present time about 120,000, of whom 40,000 are Greeks. According to ancient writers tne is and is supposed to have had formerly a million inhabitants. The religion is chiefly Mahemedanism. . . „ • 9; Chief Town (a).—Nicosia is the capital of the island. It is situated about 15 miles inland, from both the north and south, shores. Its two seaports are Kyremia to the north, and Larmca on the south. Each 15 miles from the capital. (6) Baffa,- or Paphos.—A city at the western extremity of the colony. In the early part of the first century it contained Jhe residence of the Roman Pro-Consul, and was noted for a splendid temple ■erected to Venus. During the late revolution 25,000 Greeks were massacred by the Turks within the city boundary. (It is supposed at this same time that in •other parts of the island as many as 7<t Villages, containing 18,000 Christians, were destroyed.) (c) Salamis.—A seaport ou the east

coast, formerly the principal city, and afterwards, called Coast;tmia.

(d) Citiam.—The biriliplacr> of Zouo, the founder of Stoic philosophy. (c) Amathus.—A town held sacred to Venus.

(/) Limesel.^-A port on the southern coast; good harbor. Hichiird I. of England landed here in 1190 aftor defeating Isaac the King of Cyprus, "and before lie departed for the Holy Land he married Berengaria, who became Queen of iingi land. .-. . v !' (g) Lefka. —A small town on the. north j side of the great mountain range near its j base. . i • 11. .History. ! Cyprus was originally peopled by I Phcenecians—descendants of Chittim, the grandson of Japhft, the youngest son of Noah. Next it fell into.the hands of the Egyptians, and the Greeks afterwards . formed colonies on its shores,, so that it has always had a very mixed population. Cyprus is a famous place in mythological history, and was distinguished for the licentiousness of its inhabitants. Venus the goddess of Beauty, was supposed to have been born there, and consequently it was ■ celebrated for the rites of the idolatrous worship paid to that goddess. This island was visited by Saul and Bar, nabaß about the year 45 A D.r and at a later period by Barnabas and Mark. ... In 1190, on Richard s (I. of England) voyage from Sicily, to the Holy Land, in the third crusade, two of his ships were stranded on the coast of Cyprus, and as the crews were committed to prison, satisfaction was demanded of Isaac, the sovereign ; a fight took pace, in which Richard came off victor. It was arranged that Isaac should do homage to the English King, and accompany him with a force of 500 knights, but repenting of what he had done, he again took the field, and the royal Crusader gained another battle. Isaac was again a prisoner, and ordered to be bound in silver chains. The English King must have remained some time in Cyprus, for Guy, the King of Jerusalem, visited him there, and before he left the Island he married Berengaria, the daughter of Sanco, King of Navarre. He then fol- , lowed him with Joan, the sister of the King, and after encountering a storm off Rhodes, Richard was distressed to find that the ship containing his bride was absent. It was'found off Cyprus, and j after.the reduction of 'the Island, the marriage took place at Lymesel. Berengaria i 8 celebrated for her virtues and cultivated mind, and for being Queen of England, but never in England. During the war between Russia and Turkey in 1773, the Russians made a descent upon the Isle of Cyprus, but were repulsed with great slaughter.